Most Americans are unsure of what kind of information they should provide someone after a car accident.
Unfortunately for them, they could wind up getting scammed if they give away too many details about themselves that could be used by identity thieves.
A recent survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners discovered that consumers were unsure about auto accident best practices, such as when to call the police, what personal information to exchange with the other driver after an accident and what information they should withhold.
According to the NAIC, consumers generally need only share their names and correct vehicle insurance information, which should include the phone numbers of their insurance provides.
Sharing additional personal information, such as a driver’s license numbers and home addresses, puts consumers, their property and their safety at risk.
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission estimates nearly 9 million consumers have their identities stolen each year, disrupting finances and damaging credit histories and reputations.
To help drivers deal with an accident, NAIC created a free mobile app WreckCheck, which outlines what to do immediately following an auto accident and takes users through a step-by-step process to create their own accident report.
“The last thing you’re probably thinking about following a car accident is protecting your privacy,” NAIC President and Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin M. McCarty, said in a statement. “Understanding what information to share, and with whom, will help keep you safe after an accident and decrease some of the challenges of filing a claim later on. That’s also why the NAIC created WreckCheck. The app will take the guesswork out of what information to get following a car accident.”
The app also provides tips for staying calm, safe and smart on the road and makes it easy to capture photos and document the necessary information to file an insurance claim. It lets users email a completed accident report directly to themselves and their insurance agent.
According to the survey, the most common misperceptions and associated risks were:
Nearly 40 percent of respondents felt they should share their driver’s licenses; one in six would allow the other driver to photograph their licenses as a convenient way to exchange information. The risk, however, is that many retailers accept driver’s license information as a common way to verify identity over the phone.
Twenty-five percent of consumers would share their home addresses. Unfortunately, sharing this information gives identity thieves the physical location of one’s mail or garbage, which often is where they look for personal or financial information about their victims. It also means they know where their victim lives, putting his or her personal safety in jeopardy.
Almost 30 percent of drivers think they are required to share their personal phone numbers. In fact, sharing personal phone numbers is not necessary.
Close to 20 percent of people believe the only reason to call the police after an accident is if someone is injured. However, filing a police report can help facilitate the insurance claims process.
Drivers can visit InsureUOnline.org for additional information about what to do following an auto accident. Also available on the site is a downloadable accident checklist and a video demonstration,
